MR. STEVENS LAST SPEECH ON IMPEACHMENTSince our previous issue the most interesting events which have
transpired have been the "Last Speech on Impeachment," and the "Last Levee
of the President." Both of these occurred on March 2; and are illustrated by our
artist on pages 180 and 184. March 2 was set aside for the consideration of impeachment;
it had been duly announced the Thaddeus Stevens would close the debate at three
oclock, and that a vote would be taken promptly on its conclusion. Our illustration
of the "Last Speech on Impeachment" shows this scene, which was one of the most
interesting ever witnessed in the House. Mr. Stevens sat, as he frequently does, near the
clerks desk and on the left of the Speaker. When he rose from his seat and
pronounced, in a clear and emphatic voice, "Never was a great malefactor so gently
treated as Andrew Johnson," even the noisy galleries became quiet, and a deathlike
stillness reigned throughout the House. It was broken a moment afterward, but for a moment
only, by the movement of persons in the rear seats of the gallery rising to lean forward
that they might see as well as hear the speaker, and by the general movement on the floor
of the House of the members, who, walking on tip-toe, approached the speaker and gazed up
in his face while he spoke. Even the pages ceased their noiseless movements about the
room, and gathered near the old man, perhaps more to gaze upon than to hear him. The
Chairman, too, left his chair and stood before the clerks desk to hear and watch the
old "leader of the House." This speech, the last on impeachment in the House,
will probable also be the last great effort of Mr. Stevens, as he is very weak and aged,
and has been warned by his friends of an early end to his earthly career.

THE LAST SPEECH ON IMPEACHMENT 
THADDEUS STEVENS
CLOSING THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE, MARCH 2.
March 21, 1868 page 180Articles Related to the Impeachment, Trial, and
Acquittal:To see a list of the related
articles go back to theintro
section.